We are currently trying to decide between living in Geneva or canton Vaud...whatever decision we take will not be reversable for a year according to the residence permit so we really have to be sure. My son is on the waiting list for CDL in versoix and the international school of Geneva which are both in Geneva.

My question is: is it significantly cheaper to rent in vaud than in Geneva...we need a 3 bedroom apartment and our budget is about 3000 fr although we can probably stretch that to 4000 if desperate. I just don't want to be stuck in traffic commuting two hours a day to and from my son's school if we live way up north of Geneva!

We live in Lausanne and I work in Geneva. For us it's a matter of balance. My commute is an hour door-to-door, but I don't really mind since it would probably be that long from some parts of Geneva anyhow.

Here we have beautiful scenery, a thriving folk music and dance scene, and are closer to the ski slopes. So all in all I think it's a win.

Have to agree with Mark,
It is certainly cheaper, but just don't plan on doing it in a car and being happy about that commute. Radars everywhere and traffic is terrible.

If you use public transport, it is reliable, but there are far too many people for me.
Stick close to your work and you may find you will have more spare time not wasted in the travelling so far. Plus fuel costs are high.

thanks for the advice. I think Coppet would be a nice compromise, if we can find the space we need there in the price we're willing to pay. Why are the swiss so rigid! I dont understand why we can't look in canton geneva and canton vaud at the same time....it would broaden our search so much!

You most certainly can. You only need to secure permission to live in a different canton than the one you work in, which nowadays is very straightforward to get.

All a question of paying taxes to the right people.